Williamson looks to end Kenya’s continental jinx
History suggests Bobby Williamson is the man to end Kenya’s 13 year old wait to feature at the Africa Cup of Nations.
He will, however, require a significant stroke of luck to accomplish this task.
The 53-year-old will on Sunday evening lead the Harambee Stars into the Stade Omnisport Marien Ngouabi d’Owando, for the opening clash of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against hosts, the Republic of Congo.
“We need to start positively and pick up something from that game. I have faced Congo before, and watched them recently, they are powerful and fast, we need to keep our concentration,” Williamson told Nairobi News.
FAILED ATTEMPTS
Other duels against Zambia and Guinea Bissau are lined up for Williamson and his men over the next 14 months, that will determine which of these four teams will top Group E, and claim the sole qualification ticket to the continental tournament in Gabon.
Kenya has thus far experienced five failed attempts to qualify for the continent’s premier football tournament.
The last time Stars featured in the tournament in 2004 in Tunisia with all subsequent attempts to reach the event falling flat on its face.
While Williamson was unsuccessful in steering Uganda to the tournament during his five-year stint with the Cranes (2008-2013), the Scotsman won four Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup titles with the team.
His impressive CV aside, Williamson will require maximum support from the Government, federation and the fans in his bid to take Stars to Gabon.